This QB is 'going to win' Browns' Week 1 job, per reporter

Kenny Pickett suffering what became a lingering hamstring injury on July 26 opened the door for veteran Joe Flacco to emerge as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. 

For an article published on Friday morning, Browns reporter Zac Jackson of The Athletic revealed that Flacco is "going to win the Week 1 starting quarterback job" coming off Cleveland's joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles this week. 

"Flacco has been sharp for two weeks, and it’s clear he’s developing an improved sense of timing with his teammates — especially (wide receiver) Jerry Jeudy," Jackson wrote. "Joint practices are real work versus unfamiliar opponents, not for style points. But after the Cleveland No. 1 offense didn’t score a single touchdown in Wednesday’s practice, that unit scored five on the Eagles Thursday. Two came on trick plays, and most of them were in red zone settings, but Flacco threw with confidence."

Some within the Browns allegedly wanted Pickett, 27, to win the QB1 gig over the 40-year-old Flacco earlier this summer. That said, Pickett became a non-factor regarding the competition after he was sidelined with a hamstring issue that could keep him out of action through Cleveland's preseason finale versus the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 23. 

Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders generated headlines when he completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in Cleveland's 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8. However, there was no indication he had any chance to leapfrog Flacco on the depth chart even before Sanders suffered an oblique injury that may keep him from playing through the Rams contest. 

2025 third-round draft pick Dillon Gabriel missed the Carolina game due to a hamstring injury but could see plenty of action during Saturday's matchup at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Even if Gabriel shines in that outing, he almost certainly will begin September serving as a backup for Flacco. 

"The one thing most clear is that Flacco still has a cannon," Jackson added. "And if the Browns are going to steal a couple of wins in the early part of their schedule, they’re going to rely on the 18-year veteran flinging it deep."

As of Friday morning, FanDuel Sportsbook had Flacco as a -310 betting favorite to get the nod for the Cincinnati game. Such forecasts show Jackson is probably right in saying the Browns' quarterback competition is already over.